Quidco is a cashback website that allows users to earn cashback on their online purchases from participating retailers. The process of using Quidco is relatively straightforward. In this article, we will walk through the key steps involved in signing up for and using Quidco to earn cashback rewards.
Joining Quidco
The first step is to create an account on the Quidco website. This is a simple process that involves providing some basic personal details like your name, email address, and creating a password. Registration is free and only takes a couple of minutes.
Once registered, you will have a Quidco account dashboard where you can view available cashback offers, track your earnings, and manage your account. The dashboard provides an overview of how much cashback you have earned to date from different retailers.
Installing the Quidco browser extension
To start earning cashback, you need to install the Quidco browser extension. This is available as an add-on for major browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari. The extension allows Quidco to track your visits to retailer sites so you can earn cashback on eligible purchases.
Installing the browser extension is quick and easy. You just need to go to the Quidco website and click on the “Get Browser Extension” button. This will automatically detect your browser and provide the correct installation file. Simply click install and the extension will be added.
Once installed, the extension will sit unobtrusively in your browser toolbar. When you visit a retailer site that offers Quidco cashback, the extension icon will display the available percentage cashback for that retailer.
Earning cashback
With the browser extension installed, you can start earning cashback at any of the 4,000+ participating retailers. The basic process is:
- Browse to the retailer’s website either directly or via the Quidco website/browser extension.
- Make your purchase as normal.
- Quidco tracks your purchase using cookies and within a few days the cashback will show as ‘Pending’ in your Quidco account.
- Once the retailer has confirmed your order, the cashback amount will switch to ‘Confirmed’ status.
- You can then withdraw your confirmed cashback to your bank account or as gift vouchers.
It’s important to always visit the retailer through Quidco so your purchase can be tracked. If you go directly to the retailer site, your purchase may not be eligible for cashback. Using the browser extension provides the easiest way to ensure you always earn available rewards.
Cashback rates
Cashback percentages can range from 0.5% up to over 30% depending on the retailer. Average rates are around 4-5%. Some examples of popular UK retailers and their typical Quidco cashback rates are:
Retailer | Typical cashback rate |
---|---|
Asos | 4% |
Boots | 4% |
Currys | 1.5% |
Argos | 1.25% |
AO.com | 1.5% |
Samsung | 4.5% |
Uber | 3% |
Rates can vary over time and special promotional offers are sometimes available e.g. increased cashback for new customers. It’s always worth checking the latest rates before shopping.
Exclusive discounts
As well as standard cashback, Quidco also provide exclusive discount codes and voucher codes for some retailers. These can give extra savings on top of the cashback amount. Discount and voucher codes are clearly highlighted in the browser extension when visiting a retailer site where they are available.
Withdrawing your cashback
Once your cashback is confirmed, you are able withdraw it to your bank account or redeem it for gift vouchers. The minimum amount you must have to make a withdrawal is just £1.
To withdraw to your bank account, you first need to provide your account details in the “My Account” section of Quidco. This is a straightforward process – you just need your account number and sort code. Once your account is connected, you can withdraw your available balance at any time.
The other option is to redeem your cashback for gift cards and vouchers. Quidco offers a wide range of voucher options covering popular retailers like Amazon, John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, and many more. Redemptions start from just £1. The vouchers are digital and sent to your account instantly once redeemed.
Referral program
Quidco also offers users the ability to earn bonus cashback by referring friends. For every friend who signs up and earns £5 or more in confirmed cashback, you will receive a £25 bonus payment.
You can share your unique referral link in various ways – email, messaging, social media etc. When your referred friend clicks the link and completes their Quidco sign-up, their activity will be linked to your account. You can then see your referred sign-ups and referral bonus status in your Quidco account dashboard.
Premium membership
Quidco offers an optional “Premium” membership tier for £1 per month. This provides some additional benefits:
- Faster cashback processing – confirmed within 7 days rather than up to 28 days for free accounts
- Access to exclusive premium offers with higher cashback rates
- Entry to members-only competitions and prize draws
For most users, the free standard Quidco account is likely to be sufficient. But Premium could be worth considering for more active users who make frequent purchases and want to speed up cashback confirmation and access better offers.
Mobile app
Quidco also offers iOS and Android mobile apps. These provide access to your account dashboard plus allow you to browse available deals and retailer offers on the go. The apps also allow mobile-optimised tracking and earning of cashback when shopping directly on your mobile device.
The apps support useful features like deal alerts, cashback notifications, and the ability to withdraw confirmed cashback straight to your bank account. While not essential, the apps provide a handy addition for monitoring your Quidco activity and earnings while on the move.
Is Quidco worth it?
For most online shoppers, Quidco provides an easy way to earn cashback rewards without any major effort. The cashback percentages may seem small, but they can soon add up if you use Quidco routinely when shopping online with popular retailers. Unlike voucher codes which require proactive searching, Quidco cashback is automatically applied when visiting supported sites.
The advantages of using Quidco include:
- Easy to use with simple signup process
- Wide range of supported retailers from all major segments
- Cashback is completely passive – no voucher codes needed
- Browser extension ensures you never miss a cashback opportunity
- Immediate earnings shown in your account dashboard
- Cashback from most purchases confirmed within 28 days
- No hidden fees or charges – 100% of cashback earned is yours
The small effort to install the browser extension is worthwhile when you consider the potential savings over time from cashback rewards. With over 4,000 retailers available, you are likely to find many sites you shop at regularly are included. The more you use Quidco for your normal purchasing, the faster your cashback earnings will accumulate.
Downsides
There are a couple of potential downsides to consider:
- Not all retailers participate – some major brands are missing
- Cashback rates from some retailers are quite low
- Need to withdraw cash to bank account to access earnings
- Must remember to visit retailers via Quidco site or browser extension
However, given the minimal effort involved, Quidco is likely to be worth using for most online shoppers. Even cashback of 1-2% soon adds up over the course of a year. With no fees or charges, there is no real risk or downside to giving Quidco a try.
Tips for earning more Quidco cashback
Here are some tips to maximize your Quidco earnings:
- Always install browser extensions on all devices and use them when shopping.
- Take advantage of seasonal sales and offers when cashback rates can be higher.
- Combine discount codes/vouchers and cashback for maximum savings.
- Use retailers’ own loyalty schemes alongside cashback.
- Shop via Quidco for categories with highest rates e.g. electronics, fashion, holidays.
- Refer friends to earn £25 bonuses for each one completing sign-up.
- Take advantage of special incentives e.g. increased new customer offers.
- Check for premium exclusives if you opt for the Premium membership.
With some smart shopping tactics, it’s possible to earn over £100+ per year in cashback from Quidco. This provides a nice boost to spending power from money back on purchases you would be making anyway.
Conclusion
Quidco offers a straightforward and rewarding cashback program. With a free and easy signup process, wide retailer network, and seamless earning through browser extensions, it provides a great accompaniment to your online shopping.
While cashback rates individually may seem small, collectively they can add up to decent savings across a year. The passive nature of simply earning rewards when you shop without needing voucher codes is a major plus point.
For savvy shoppers who use popular retail sites frequently, Quidco is definitely worth using on a regular basis. The cashback earned will gradually mount up over time, especially if you utilize tactics like referring friends. With no real downside beyond a couple of minutes to install the browser extensions, Quidco provides an excellent and simple way to earn from your everyday online purchases.